What will I study?

Overview

What you will learn

Advanced knowledge of evaluation theory and practice

You’ll work independently and in groups to learn the fundamentals of evaluation including the nature and purpose of evaluation, types of evaluation, and the logic of evaluation.

The ability to apply evaluation methods to a range of professional settings

You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the tools and methods required for good evaluation practice including planning, engagement strategies and reporting.

The responsibilities and ethical principles that characterise good evaluation leaders

You will learn the philosophical backgrounds and influences on social research, epistemological and ontological perspectives, the ethics of social research and how to maintain professional standards.

Course structure

To gain a Graduate Certificate in Evaluation you must complete 50 points comprising of:

Two core subjects

Two elective subjects.

Workload

The estimated hours required for each subject is between 15 -19 hours per week and includes independent study, but this varies for each student and depends on your task management and planning, familiarity with the material, reading style and speed.

“I hope to be doing evaluation projects in Third World countries within 2 years,” he states.

The highlight of the Master of Evaluation course for Robert has been “the interweaving of the theoretical and practical aspects.”

“We have had readings and guest lectures from cutting-edge practitioners from several countries, such as Jane Davidson from New Zealand. They have opened my eyes about ways to do quality work in tricky situations.”

Juggling full-time work, study and family is never easy, but the online study has allowed me to be fairly efficient with my time. The online structure made it more flexible, so I could do the work at times that suited me.

Studying online has also given Robert the opportunity to build connections all over the world. He says, “During online discussion sessions, there have been students hooking in from Vanuatu, USA, Cambodia and remote Western Australia.”

“The cost of the masters gives me a great return on investment. It would take me a decade in the workplace to get the same level of skill, and the accelerated learning has allowed me to make a quick change in career.”

And what’s his advice for anyone else interested in evaluation?

“I would strongly recommend the University of Melbourne Master of Evaluation. Dive in. Do it. Thrive.”

Explore this course

Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this certificate.

Core

Complete the following two subjects

CoreCredit points

Applied Research Methodology12.5

Applied Research Methodology

This subject is designed to provide students with an overview of the methodologies for conducting research in evaluation. In particular, the subject provides students with an introduction to the philosophical backgrounds and influences on social research, epistemological and ontological considerations, and the basic foundations of research design, logic of inquiry, and ethics of social research. Students will work on developing research questions and operationalise them to enable data gathering, analysis and interpretation as well as evaluate existing social research.

Foundations of Evaluation

This subject provides students with an introduction to evaluation fundamentals, including: the nature and purposes of evaluation, the logic of evaluation, types of evaluations, values, and professional standards.

Electives

Developing Evaluation Capacity

This subject is based on a growing trend of sectors and organisations asking evaluators to build and develop their capacity in evaluation thinking and practice.

This subject will explore the fundamentals of evaluation capacity building, the concept of developing evaluation capacity with individuals, teams and organisations and how to apply these concepts in practice.

Qualitative Methods for Evaluation

This subject provides students with an introduction to the theory and application of qualitative inquiry. Topics that will be examined include: orientations to, and debates surrounding, qualitative approaches; the collection, display and analysis of qualitative data; the use of systematic methods of data reduction, display and analysis and how qualitative research methods are commonly used in evaluation studies.

Mixed Methods Research & Evaluation

This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of mixed methods research and evaluation. Topics that will be covered include: the emergence of mixed methods approaches; nature and purposes of mixed methods studies; choosing mixed methods designs; synthesis of mixed methods data; strengths and limitations of mixed methods research and evaluation projects. Practical aspects of the course will involve the design of a mixed methods study incorporating qualitative and quantitative data sources.

Debates in Evaluation

This subject examines the origins and evolution of evaluation theories, models and approaches. Topics covered include: the nature and role of evaluation theory; pioneering figures and major debates in evaluation’s short but rich history; approaches to classifying evaluation theories; and, the relationship between evaluation theory and contemporary practice. Classes will involve examining and critiquing evaluation theorists and theories through key readings, class debates and interactive role plays.

Impact Evaluation

This subject analyses design options for establishing the impact of social interventions. Topics include: causation; dealing with issues of attribution; conceptual and technical considerations associated with experimental and quasi-experimental design; and alternative strategies for causal analysis.

Evaluation and Value for Money

Analysing and comparing costs with results involves a particular set of thinking and tasks – including economic methods of evaluation as well as wider considerations. In this subject, students will focus on developing the basic skills and knowledge needed to engage with evaluation in this area appropriately and effectively in their own practice.

Evaluation in Education

This subject will introduce students entering, or already in, the education sector to the many ways that evaluation is used in education. The subject will begin with an introduction to the origins and the political and social contexts of evaluation as well as the nature and logic of evaluation. Subsequent weeks will focus on the applied fields of evaluation set in the context of education. There are six applied fields of evaluation that will be covered: 1) performance evaluation (student assessment; teacher reflective practice); 2) product evaluation (curriculum effectiveness); 3) program evaluation (school accreditation; organisational/systems-level evaluation); 4) personnel evaluation (teacher performance appraisal; principal performance appraisal); 5) policy evaluation (policy to practice and practice to policy studies); 6) proposal evaluation (assessing grant-making applications for funding). The subject will culminate with a look at meta-evaluation (evaluating evaluations).

Quantitative Methods for Evaluation

This subject provides students with an introduction to the collection, analysis and reporting of quantitative data in research and evaluation studies. Topics will include: Philosophy of quantitative methodology; types of data; samples and populations; descriptive and inferential statistics; exploratory and confirmatory data analysis; survey design and questionnaire construction; and displaying data using SPSS.